Display clip



Julie 18, 19.63 c. LOHRMAN 3,094,305

DISPLAY CLIP Filed July 2, 1962 I INVEN OR CM! 470 rm MAM ATTORNEYS t of sheet metal or other suitable material.

United States Patent 3,094,305 DISPLAY CLIP Charles Lohrman, Riverton, N.J., assignor to Precision Parts Co., Inc., Pennsauken, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 2, 1962, Ser. No. 206,885 10 Claims. (Cl. 248--225) This invention relates generally to display hardware, and is especially concerned with a clip for display purposes primarily in self-service retail stores.

In supermarkets and like stores, it is common that shelves be provided along their forward edge with a channellike structure (hereinafter called a shelf channel) for removably receiving cards for indicating price and the like.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a unique display clip adapted for quick and easy removable engagement in a shelf channel, and which is capable of carrying various display materials for arresting the attention of buyers.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a display clip having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in construction, capable of economic massproduction for sale at a reasonable price, and which is durable and reliable throughout a long useful life.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a display clip constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with the clip in one operative position;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing the clip in another operative position;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view showing the clip in the operative position of FIGURE 3 and being engaged in a shelf channel;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showin the clip in operative association with a shelf channel;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective View showing another operative arrangement of clip and shelf channel; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing still a further operative arrangement of clip and shelf channel.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-3 thereof, the clip is there generally designated 10, and may be entirely fabricated In particular,

the clip 10 includes a pair of elongate members or arms 11 having their lower end regions pivotally connected together, as by a pivot pin 12. In FIGURES 1 and 2 the arms 11 are shown in overlying relation, and are pivotally connected together by the pin or rivet 12 for swinging movement of their upper ends toward and away from each other as between the overlying arm relationship of FIGURES 1 and 2, and the diverging arm relationship of FIGURE 3. Thus, the upper end regions 13' of the arms 11 are swingable toward and away from each other upon movement of the arms between their overlying and spreadapart positions.

Formed in the upper or distal end regions 13 of the arms 11 are through apertures or holes 114, which may Patented June 18, 1963 lie in registry when the arms are swung together. There may also be provided a through opening or hole 15 in each arm 11 adjacent to and spaced upward from the lower arm regions of pivot 12. The openings 15 provide weakening means for bending the arms, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Extending obliquely outward from the lower end region of each arm :11 is an extension or foot 18. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the feet 18 of arms 11 project obliquely longitudinally outward from the lower ends of the arms, beyond the pivotal connection 12; and, the feet of respective arms extend laterally oppositely so as to lie on opposite sides of the arms when the latter are in their overlying position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the feet 18 are each integral with a respective arm 11, and may be formed by stamping, or other suitable manner. More specifically, each foot 18 extends longitudinally and laterally obliquely from the lower end of a respective arm 11, being defined between generally parallel inner and outer edges 19 and 20, respectively, and terminating in an end edge 21 generally normal to the axis of the respective arm. It will now be apparent that each arm and foot 11, 18 is substantially identical to the other arm and foot, but of opposite hand, so that the feet 18 of the pair of arms extend laterally in opposite directions. Each arm and foot 11, 18 may be identical to the other in manufacture, and reversed for assembly.

An insertion member or plate, generally designated 24, may be of generally rectangular formation and carried by one of the arms 11 for extension of an edge or lip 25 generally obliquely away from the lower, pivotally connected ends of the arms. In particular, the insertion member or plate 24 may be bent, as along a bend line 26, to form of the plate a pair of panel portions or flanges 27 and 28 disposed in oblique angular relation with respect to each other. The panel portion or flange 26 is pivotally secured in facing engagement with one of the arms 11 at the lower end thereof, as by the rivet 12, while the remaining panel portion or flange 28 extends obliquely away from the arms '11 generally toward the distal arm regions 13 and terminates in the insertion lip or edge 25 extending generally transversely of the arms.

In the spread-apart or divergent arm condition of FIG- URE 3, the feet 18 are disposed in substantial end-to-end alignment having their free ends extending oppositely away from each other. In this condition, the inner side edges '19 of the feet 18 are in substantial alignment with each other and define the remote foot edges with respect to the insertion edge or lip 25 of insertion member 24. In contrast, with the arms 11 overlying each other (see FIGURE 1), the end edges 21 of the feet 18 are in substantial alignment with each transversely of the arms. It will therefore be observed that in the spread-apart or divergent arm condition of FIGURE 3, the aligned foot edges 19 are closer to the insertion edge 25 than are the aligned foot edges 21 to the insertion edge when the arms are in their overlying relation. Hence, with respect to the insertion edge 25, the feet 18 may be considered as retracted in the condition of FIGURE 3, and extended in the condition of FIGURE 1.

In FIGURE 4 is shown the display clip 10 in the condition of FIGURE 3, and a shelf channel is generally designated 30, which may include a web 31 and a pair of longitudinally extending inturned side flanges 32. The shelf channel 30 may be conventional, and is commonly secured along the front edge of a shelf (not shown).

The clip 10 in FIGURE 6 is shown being engaged with the shelf channel 30, the insertion member 24 having its insertion lip or edge 25 engaged under the upper channel flange 32, and the lower, connected ends of the arms being swung in the direction of arrow 33 to pass the retracted [feet 18 beyond the lower channel flange and into the channel.

It is the-n only necessary to return the arms 11 to their overlying relationship, as by squeezing the arms together, which effects extension of the feet 18 to the condition of FIGURE .1 for positive engagement beneath the lower channel flange 32, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The clip may then be locked in its received relation in the channel 30 to prevent its inadvertent or surreptitious removal therefrom. Such locking may be achieved by a cap or tube 35, see FIGURE 5, engaged over the upper arm end regions '13, which may carry a standard 36 and suitable display banner 37 or the like. Also, the overlying arms =11 may be bent, as at 39 in FIGURE 5, with the arms maintained in their facing engagement. This permits for desired disposition of the distal arms reg-ions, say vertically upright as illustrated, or otherwise if desired. Also, this bending of the arms in their facing engagement, which may be conveniently performed at the weakened arm regions of openings 15, further serves to lock the clip in the shelf channel, as by effectively resisting relative swinging movement of the arms. Of course, the clip 10 may be deliberately removed from the channel 30, if desired, as by removal of the tube or cap 35, and straightening of the bend 39 to permit swinging apart of the arms for retraction of the feet 18 relative to the insertion edge 25. The clip may then be swung outward in reversal of the swinging movement indicated by arrow 33 in FIG- URE 4.

The clip 10 may also be locked in a channel 30 by tie means 41 engaged through the registering openings :14, as shown in FIGURE 6. Such tie means may also be employed to carry suitable display medium, such as a card 42.

It will also be observed in FIGURE 6 that the clip 10 is invented in the channel 30 relative to the arrangement shown in FIGURE 5. That is, the insertion lip or edge 25 is engaged beneath the lower channel flange 32, while the feet '18 are engaged beneath the upper channel flange. This relationship of clip 10 and channel 30 may be preferred where it is desired to suspend a display 42 from the overlying arms 11.

Still another arrangement is shown in FIGURE 7, wherein a plurality of clips 10 are engaged in a shelf channel 30, and the overlying arms 11 of each clip are bent to have their distal regions extending generally horizontally as for supporting a shelf or other display (not shown).

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a display clip for a shelf channel which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A display clip for a shelf channel, said clip comprising a pair of arms pivotally connected together for swinging movement between overlying and divering positions, an insertion lip carried by one of said arms, and a transverse foot on each arm and movable therewith, said feet being configured for movement between extended and retracted positions with respect to said lip upon arm movement between said overlying and [diverging positions, whereby said lip and feet are removably engageable in respective sides of a shelf channel.

2. A display clip according to claim 1, in combination with holding means for locking arms in their position of movement corresponding to extension of said feet, to lock said lip and feet in a shelf channel.

3. A display clip according to claim 1, said feet extending generally away from each other.

4. A display clip according to claim 3, each of said arms and its associated foot being substantially identical and of opposite hand.

5. A display clip according to claim 1, said insertion lip comprising a plate bent to define a pair of angularly disposed flanges, one of said flanges being secured in facing engagement with one of said arms and the other flange extending obliquely from said one arm and terminating in an edge insertable in one side of a shelf channel.

6. A display clip for a shelf channel, said clip comprising a pair of elongate arms, pivot means connecting together one pair of arm ends for swinging movement of the other arm ends toward and away from each other, a foot extending transversely from said one end of each arm with the feet of respective arms extending in laterally opposite directions, and an insertion plate carried by one of said arms at said one end thereof extending generally toward said other end of said one arm and terminating in a free edge, said feet being configured for movement between extended and retracted positions with respect to said edge upon swinging movement of said other arm ends, whereby said edge and feet are removably engageable in respective sides of a shelf channel.

7. A display clip according to claim 6, said feet each extending obliquely longitudinally outward from said one end of the respective arm, whereby said feet are movable to their extended positions when said arms are overlying and to their retracted positions when said arms are swung to generally align said feet.

8. A display clip according to claim 7, each of said arms and its associated foot being integrally fabricated of generally flat sheet material.

9. A display clip according to claim 8, each of said arms and its associated foot being substantially identical and of opposite hand.

10. A display clip according to claim 6, said insertion plate being bent .to define a pair of angularly disposed flanges, one of said flanges being secured by said pivot means in facing engagement with one of said arms and the other flange extending obliquely from said one arm to said free edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,724,883 Flora et a1 Nov. 29, 1955 2,921,393 Wood Jan. 19, 1960 3,034,756 Kadell May 15, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 225,611 Germany Sept. 16, 1910 

1. A DISPLAY CLIP FOR A SHELF CHANNEL, SAID CLIP COMPRISING A PAIR OF ARMS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT BETWEEN OVERLYING AND DIVERING POSITIONS, AN INSERTION LIP CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID ARMS, AND A TRANSVERSE FOOT ON EACH ARM AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID FEET BEING CONFIGURED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN EXTENDED AND RETRACTED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID LIP UPON ARM MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID OVERLYING AND DIVERGING POSITIONS, WHEREBY SAID LIP AND FEET ARE REMOVABLY ENGAGEABLE IN RESPECTIVE SIDES OF A SHELF CHANNEL. 